Acid Mine Drainage in South Africa

Mariette Liefferink

West Wits Pit As early as 1987, the US Environmental Protection Agency recognised that “.....problems related to mining waste may be rated as second only to global warming and stratospheric ozone depletion in terms of ecological risk.

The release to the environment of mining waste can result in profound, generally irreversible destruction of ecosystems.”

If this is indeed so then the Witwatersrand gold mining area of South Africa is at serious risk.

Reference:s CSIR. Briefing Note August 2009. Acid Mine Drainage in South Africa. Dr. Pat Manders. Director, Natural Resources and the Environment. European Environmental Bureau (EEB). 2000. The environmental performance of the mining industry and the action necessary to strengthen European legislation in the wake of the Tisza-Danube pollution. EEB Document no 2000/016 32 p • The potential volume of AMD for the Witwatersrand Goldfield alone amounts to an estimated 350ML/day (1ML = 1000m3). • This represents 10% of the potable water supplied daily by Rand Water to municipal authorities for urban distribution in Gauteng province and surrounding areas, at a cost of R3000/ML. • The gold mining industry in South Africa (principally the Witwatersrand Goldfield) is in decline, but the post-closure decant of AMD is an enormous threat, and this could become worse if remedial activities are delayed or not implemented. Reference: CSIR. Briefing Note August 2009. Acid Mine Drainage in South Africa. Dr. Pat Manders. Director, Natural Resources and the Environment. Reports • 1960 Final Report, Interdepartmental Committee on Dolomitic Mine Water: Far West Rand. DWAF. • 1963 Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). “Commentary on the Final Report of the Interim Departmental Committee on Dolomitic Mine Water: Far West Rand”. 28.2.1963/10.2.1964. • 1995 Screening surveys of Radioactivity in the Mooi River Catchment by the Institute of Water Quality Studies of the DWAF. • 1996 Scientists predict West Rand Decant in 2002 and suggested a solution in “An Integrated Strategic Water Management Plan for the Gauteng Gold Mines”. The success of the proposed solution is dependent on the mines, water suppliers, water users and Government adopting an integrated approach – with Government taking the lead role. The Western Utility Corporation developed an alleged technical and economical viable solution, but at the time of writing, Government has not given its approval to this initiative. Government alleges that the polluter cannot be allowed to profit from its pollution. • 1999 Report, “Radioactivity Monitoring Programme in the Mooi River (Wonderfonteinspruit) Catchment”. Institute for Water Quality Studies. DWAF, April. Mining activities are a major contributor to uranium and uranium series radionuclides within the catchment. Concentrations decrease downstream of the sources, indicating removal from the dissolved fraction by interaction with sediments. •2002 Publication of the “Radioactivity study on sediments in a dam on the Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment.” Conducted by the Council for Geoscience and commissioned by the DWAF. Wade et al. (2002) (WRC). •2002 Publication of the “Tier 1 Risk Assessment of Selected Radionuclides in Sediments of the Mooi River Catchment.” WRC Report 1095/1/02 by P. Wade. Radionuclides are concentrated in sediments downstream of their sources. Sequential extractions showed that these radionuclides are distributed in multiple phases within the sediments and that they may be remobilized by environmentally plausible chemical processes such as AMD. •2002 Coetzee et al. (2002) of the Council for Geoscience reported on “Uranium and heavy metals in sediments in a dam on the farm Blaauwbank”. This study confirmed the findings of Wade et al and used further sequential extractions to characterize the sediments in a dam downstream of mining activities in the Carletonville area. •2005 Publication, WRC on “Impacts of gold-mining activities on water availability and quality in the Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment.” Mining-related impacts such as large-scale land degradation associated with DWAtering of karstic aquifers and widespread pollution of surface water and groundwater systems are discussed. •2005 Publication Council for Geoscience, “Contamination of wetlands by Witwatersrand gold mines – processes and the economic potential of gold in wetlands” by H Coetzee et al , Report No. 2005-0106. For more than a century, the mines of the Witwatersrand have discharged contaminated water into the streams and rivers of the area, which led to the formation of a system of large wetlands. Concerns have been raised about their ability to cope with the pollutant loads flowing into wetlands. •2006 Publication of “An Assessment of Sources, Pathways, Mechanisms and Risks of Current and Potential Future Pollution of Water and Sediments in Gold-Mining Areas of the Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment.” Report, WRC, H Coetzee et al, Council for Geosience. 2004. Report No 1214/1/06. This report eventually became the most important reason for POEA to be established. • 2006 Publication of “Impact of the discharge of Treated Mine Water, via the Tweelopies Spruit, on the receiving water body Crocodile River system, Mogale City, Gauteng Province”. DWAF, Report, 16/2/7/C221/C/24. 15.12.2006 by J Fourie et al. • 2006 “Dispersion of treated mine water from Harmony Gold Mine Estate into the Wonderfontein Spruit drainage system: Water quality. Vegetation and Bio-monitoring Status Report: Inclusive of water quality improvement potential”. D van der Walt. • 2006 “Archaeological Assessment: The Proposed Wonderfontein Spruit Treated Water Discharge Project.” Matakoma Heritage Consultants. 25 April. • 2006 “Geohydrological Review of the Potential Impact on the Sterkfontein Dolomite during Increased Surface Water Run-off.” J Fourie et al, April. • 2006 Report, Aquatic Biomonitoring and Toxicological Integrity of the Tweelopiespruit and the Upper Wonderfonteinspruit in Relation to the Decant of Mine Water from the Western Basin Mine Void. Winter Cycle 2005.” African Environmental Development. 17 July. • 2006 “Geohydrological Review of the Potential Impact on the Wonderfonteinspruit and Underlying Aquifers During Increased Surface Water Run-Off.” J Fourie et al, May. • 2007 Report, JS du Toit, (Acting Manager: Environmental Manager, Mogale City Municipality). “Background Report on Communities at Risk Within Mogale City Local Municipality Affected by Mining Related Activities, with Special Reference to Radiation & Toxicity.” September. •2007 PJ Hobbs (CSIR), Report, “A Hydrogeological Assessment of Acid Mine Drainage Impacts in the West Rand Basin, Gauteng Province.” Report No. CSIR/NRE/WR/ER/ER/2007/009’s7/C. •2007 Publication of the NNR Report – TR-RRD-07-0006 – “Radiological Impacts of the Mining Activities to the Public in the Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment Area.” 12 July.. •2007 Publication of the “Status Report on the Actions Arising from the Study of Radiological Contamination of the Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment Area (WCA)”. 29 October. •2008 Publication of the “Situation Analysis of Hydrologic and Hydrogeologic Factors Informing the Royal Engineering Groundwater Supply on Sterkfontein 173iq, Krugersdorp. PJ Hobbs, Report prepared for the Western Basin Void Monitoring Sub-Group. Document Reference Number: CSIR/NRE/WR/ER/2008/0107/, July. •2009 Publication of Draft Regional Mine Closure strategies for the West, Far West, Central and Eastern Rand Basins. GOLD-MINING AREAS OF WEST RAND AND FAR WEST RAND Mining Area Key Issues

Witwatersrand Goldfields: •Interconnection of mining basins •KoshWitwatersrandBasin Goldfields: •Acid Interconnection Rock Drainage of andmining basins •Free State Goldfields Mine Drainage •Far West Rand •LargeAcid SaltRock Loads Drainage and •West Rand Mine Drainage•Decanting of Flooded Mines •Central Rand •Physical Instability •Eastern Rand Large Salt•Dust Loads Pollution Decanting of Flooded•Land Use Mines Conflicts with Growing Urban Centres Physical Instability•Radioactivity Dust Pollution(Contamination) and Uranium Land Use Conflicts with Growing Urban Centres Radioactivity and Uranium WITWATERSRAND MINING BASIN* • The Witwatersrand has been mined for more than a century. • It is the world’s largest gold and uranium mining basin with the extraction, • from more than 120 mines, • of 43 500 tons of gold in one century and • 73 000 tons of uranium between 1953 and 1995. • The basin covers an area of 1600 km2, and • led to a legacy of some 400 km2 of mine tailings dams and • 6 billion tons of pyrite tailings containing low-grade uranium.

* The Witwatersrand Mining Basin is composed of the Far East Basin, Central Rand Basin, Western Basin, Far Western Basin, KOSH and the Free State gold mines.

A Remote-Sensing and GIS-Based Integrated Approach for Risk Based Prioritization of Gold Tailings Facilities – Witwatersrand, South Africa – S. Chevrel et al

•Tailings Dams contain 100 000 tons of U •50 Tons of U discharged annually •Seepage/Percolation: 24 tons U (1 000 to 1 million higher than the background U concentrations)

Technolgically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material

•Point Discharges: 12 tons of U •Stormwater: 10 tons of U •Sinkholes: Secondary Sources of U contamination • Waste from gold mines constitutes the largest single source of waste and pollution in South Africa and there is wide acceptance that Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is responsible for the most costly environmental and socio-economic impacts. • As at 1997, South Africa produced an estimated 468 million tons of mineral waste per annum (DWAF, 2001). • Gold mining waste was estimated to account for 221 million tons or 47 % of all mineral waste produced in South Africa, making it the largest, single source of waste and pollution (DWAF, 2001). • There are more than 270 tailings dams in the Witwatersrand Basin, covering approximately 400 km2 in surface area (AngloGold Ashanti, 2004). • These dams are mostly unlined and many are not vegetated, providing a source of extensive dust, as well as soil and water (surface and groundwater) pollution (AngloGold Ashanti 2004) Sinkholes caused by dewatering and rewatering of aquifers Air Pollution

.

The health effects of uranium particles inhaled: Witwatersrand Goldfields •Small particles are carried by the inhaled air stream all the way into the alveoli. Here the particles can remain for periods from weeks up to years depending on their solubility.

•Highly insoluble uranium compounds may remain in the alveoli, whereas soluble uranium compounds may dissolve and pass across the alveolar membranes into the bloodstream, where they may exert systemic toxic effects.

•In some cases, insoluble particles are absorbed into the body from the alveoli by phagocytosis into the associated lymph nodes. •“Insoluble” particles may reside in the lungs for years, ihi di t i it tb dith l li Housing Development (Retirement Village) on Mined Land, within 500m buffer zone of Witwatersrandtailings dam Goldfields

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Uraniferous Tailings Spillages GROUNDWATER POLLUTION Heavy Metal Contamination

"The mean values for the Wonderfonteinspruit samples were found to exceed not only natural background concentrations, but also levels of regulatory concern for cobalt, zinc, arsenic, cadmium and uranium, with uranium and cadmium exhibiting the highest risk coefficients.” COLOUR CODING SYSTEM USED FOR TIER 1 RISK ASSESSMENT Risk quotient Colour Explanation

<0.5 Quotients in this range are unlikely to represent any environmental risk.

0.5-2 Quotients in this range may represent a risk, allowing for analytical and other uncertainties.

>2 Quotients in this range will represent an environmental risk 0.000 – 0.500 5.001 – 10.000

0.501 – 2.000 10.001 – 38 642 2.000 – 5.000 Uranium Concentration Nickel Concentration Arsenic Concentration Copper Concentration RADIOLOGICAL RISKS

The measured uranium content of many of the fluvial sediments in the Wonderfonteinspruit, including those off mine properties and therefore outside the boundaries of licensed sites, exceeds the exclusion limit for regulation by the National Nuclear Regulator.

For approximately 50% of the 47 sampling sites, the calculated incremental doses of the respective critical group are above 1 mSv per annum up to 100 mSv pa (548 mSv pa Blyvooruitzicht Mine/Bridge Carletonville)

The radioactive contamination of surface water bodies in the Wonderfonteinspruit catchment area caused by the long-lasting mine water discharges and diffuse emissions of seepage and runoff from slimes dams poses radiological risks to the public resulting from the usage of polluted environmental media;

The pathway sediment→SPM →cattle→milk/meat→person (“SeCa”) can cause radioactive contamination of livestock products (milk, meat) resulting in effective doses of the public in some orders of magnitude above those resulting via the pathway “WaCa

AndriesCoetzee’sDam 900mg/kg U

Photo: Courtesy Dr. Henk Coetzee Tudor Dam -Elevated levels of radioactivity

10 000 – 100 000 Bq/kg

Regulatory Limits: 500Bq/kg Courtesy: DME Draft Regional Closure Strategy For The Far West Rand Goldfield

•An airborne radiometric survey of the WR and FWR was done for DWAF

•Interpretation of the data show many of the residential areas (Carletonville, Westonarea, Khutsong, Kagiso, Randfontein) fall within areas of high risk of radioactivity contamination.

STATUS REPORT ON THE ACTIONS ARISING FROM THE STUDY OF RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION OF THE WONDERFONTEINSPRUIT CATCHMENT AREA (WCA)

The study undertaken by the NNR has confirmed the presence of radioactive contamination in the WCA.

Preliminary results of analyses conducted on produce grown in the area have indicated that the dose levels are of radiological concern to the regulator.

The study has also highlighted the need for all the regulators to work closely together since the contamination includes non radiological contaminants such as heavy metals and salts. “The most important lesson learnt from the studies in the Wonderfonteinspruit is that no short-cuts exist which would allow certain pathways to be ignored in a study of radioactive contamination within these mining areas.”. At present the U and other heavy metals, such as cadmium, copper, zinc, arsenic and cobalt are adsorbed in the sediment. Plausible environmental conditions such: •Acid mine drainage

•Acid rain

•Drying out of the sediment and influx of water

•Dredging operations

•Tailings spillages

•Turbulence caused by cattle drinking the water or children playing in the water can cause the mobilization or transport of uranium in the Wonderfonteinspruit.

Central Basin 60 Mega Litres The central basin is currently flooding at 0.9 meter per day (60 ML per day) with no means of intercepting the water prior to reaching surface which will contaminate all ground water and decant on surface in a densely populated area (Boksburg) at three times the rate of the Western Basin.

Photo: Courtesy Prof. McCarthy Photo: Courtesy Prof. Terence McCarthy Eastern Basin ACID MINE108 ML DRAINAGE

Photo: Courtesy Elise Tempelhoff Courtesy: Beeld West Rand goldfields

Decanting Volumes: Currently between 18 and 36 ML/per day

An unqualified volume still escapes downstream North and south (intercontinental water divide)

Environmental critical level not absolute decant management solution

Dolomitic Outlier not a low permeability barrier: faults and fractures Photo: Courtesy Henk Coetzee

Chronological Analysis of AMD: West Rand • 1996: SWaMP Report • 2002: Decant • 2002 -2005: Uncontrolled Decant • 2005 – 2009: Partial Treatment • 2009 – Western Utility Corporation (WUC) Proposal • 21 January 2010 – Uncontrolled Decant • 18 March 2010 - R6.9 (lime treatment) • May 2010 – Revised Directive • 1 July 2010 – Discharge Untreated AMD DECANT

In 2002 in the Krugersdorp-Randfontein area water has started to decant from a number of shafts into the Tweelopiespruit and the Wonderfonteinspruit. The water has a pH of 2.2 (the normal pH is 7.3).

The combination of the pH and redox driven reactions resulted in a measured uranium concentration of 16mg/l of the Robinson Lake, and resulted in the NNR declaring the lake a radiation area.

The background U concentration in water is 0,0004mg/l.

In terms of the DWAF regulations for drinking water, the U concentration should not exceed 0.07mg/l and for irrigation, 0.01mg/l. pH (Logarithmic) 14 DWAF Guidelines 13 Bleach 12 Ammonia 11

Alkaline 10 Drinking Water 9 Drinking Water

9 Irrigation Irrigation (Site Specific) Aquatic Ecosystem (Site Specific) Baking Soda Aquatic Ecosystem 8

7 Distilled Water 7.0-8.0 6.5-8.4 6 6.0-9.0 5 Orange Juice Typical Wits Acid Mine Drainage 4 Typical Wits Acid Mine Drainage

Acid 3 Vinegar

2 Lemon Juice 2.5-4 1 Battery Acid 0 Robinson Lake pH 2.6 U concentration of 16 mg/l; resulted in the NNR declaring the lake a radiation area Pollution Plume Pollution Plume Volumes and loads 2005 - Jan. 2010 • Polluted water is discharged into a receiving environment – Volume = ~25Ml/d – Salt content = ~4g/l – Salt load = ~100 tons per da

20t 20t 20t 20t 20t

Photo: Courtesy Dr. Henk Coetzee Cradle of Human Kind World Heritage Site AAAfrican EEnvironmental Development

In April 2009 the mine void water, containing sulfuric acid will have been flowing into the Zwartkrans compartment for 8 years – the corresponding void in the dolomite that has formed so far amounts to a staggering 16 700 m3 Dewatering/RewateringSsiesmicJanuary 21, Risks 2010 Uncontrolled decant of AMD 18 Winze

Water Treatment Plant Precipitated Heavy Metals Pollution Plume

Radioactive Sludge CPS Pit Acid Mine Drainage

•Waste from gold mines constitutes the largest single source of waste and pollution in South Africa. •Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is responsible for the most costly environmental and socio-economic impacts. •Production of AMD may continue for many years after mines are closed and tailings dams decommissioned. •AMD is not only associated with surface and groundwater pollution, degradation of soil quality, for harming aquatic sediments and fauna, and for allowing heavy metals to seep into the environment. Acid Mine Drainage •Long-term exposure to AMD polluted drinking water may lead to increased rates of cancer, decreased cognitive function and appearance of skin lesions.

•Heavy metals in drinking water could compromise the neural development of the fetus which can result in mental retardation.

•If indeed the extent of “… problems related to mining waste may be rated as second only to global warming and stratospheric ozone depletion in terms of ecological risk” (EEB, 2000), then the Witwatersrand gold mining area of South Africa is at serious risk. Uranium Pollution of Water resources in Mined-Out and Active Goldfields of South Africa – A Case Study in the Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment on Extent and Sources of U- Contamination and Associated Health Risks Prof.Dr. Frank Winde • “Results indicate that U-levels in water resources of the whole catchment increased markedly since 1997 even though U- loads emitted by some large gold mines in the Far West Rand were reduced. This apparent contradiction is explained by the contribution of highly polluted water decanting from the flooded mine void in the West Rand. •“800kg of U per year flowing into Boskop Dam as Potchefstroom’s main water reservoir • “Of particular concern is the fact that U-levels in the WFS are comparable to those detected in the Northern Cape which had been geostatistically linked to abonormal haematological values related to increased incidences of leukaemia observed in residents of the area”. – Even though a large number of the world’s rivers are contaminated by heavy metals released from present day and historic mining operations, relatively little is known about the effects on communities that live beside and rely on these rivers for food and livelihood. One of the complications is that the toxicity of many metals is a function of such conditions as redox, pH and water hardness. – Elevated salts and metals can also negatively affect the health of animals in many different ways, depending on the species, age, sensitivity, general health and diet of the consumer, among other factors. – Some metals, when consumed in excess, can affect organs and the central nervous system, cause reproductive failure or birth defects, and act as cofactors in many other diseases.

– Certain receptors may be more sensitive than others, depending upon species, age, sex, season, body mass, metabolic rate, general health, diet, behaviour, etc, with younger animals and children being generally more at risk than adults under the same conditions of exposure (WHO). – The potential for trans-generational (genetic) impacts of bioaccumulated metals and NORMs (Naturally Occurring Radiactive Materials) on biota exposed above certain thresh-holds.

– The probability that such latent impacts will only be identified and assessed over the next 100 to 500 years.

18 March 2010 Tweelopiespruit Inlet

Tweelopiespruit Tweelopiespruit Downstream Inflow into Game Reserve Flow Rate Ml/DAY 2006 - 2010

60 56 52 48 44 40 36 Inflow into No Flow Game 32 Reserve V1C 28 Aviary 24 20 16 12 8 4 0 2006/08/15 2006/10/15 2006/12/15 2007/02/15 2007/04/15 2007/06/15 2007/08/15 2007/10/15 2007/12/15 2008/02/15 2008/04/15 2008/06/15 2008/08/15 2008/10/15 2008/12/15 2009/02/15 2009/04/15 2009/06/15 2009/08/15 2009/10/15 2009/12/15 2010/02/15 2010/04/15 Inlet to Game Reserve Weekly Oct 2007-May 2010 pH Units 14.0

12.0

10.0

8.0

pH @ 25ºC 6.0 Directive 9.5 Directive 6.5

4.0

2.0

0.0 17-Jul-09 17-Jul-08 17-Oct-09 17-Oct-08 17-Oct-07 17-Apr-10 17-Apr-09 17-Apr-08 17-Jan-10 17-Jan-09 17-Jan-08 17-Mar-10 17-Jun-09 17-Mar-09 17-Jun-08 17-Mar-08 17-Feb-10 17-Feb-09 17-Feb-08 17-Dec-09 17-Sep-09 17-Dec-08 17-Sep-08 17-Dec-07 17-Nov-09 17-Nov-08 17-Nov-07 17-May-10 17-Aug-09 17-May-09 17-Aug-08 17-May-08 Aviary Dam Game Reserve Outlet Weekly Oct 2007-May 2010 pH Units 10.0

9.0

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0 pH @ 25ºC 4.0 Directive 9.5 Directive 6.5 3.0

2.0

1.0

0.0 17-Jul-09 17-Jul-08 17-Oct-09 17-Oct-08 17-Oct-07 17-Apr-10 17-Apr-09 17-Apr-08 17-Jan-10 17-Jan-09 17-Jan-08 17-Jun-09 17-Jun-08 17-Mar-10 17-Mar-09 17-Mar-08 17-Feb-10 17-Feb-09 17-Feb-08 17-Dec-09 17-Sep-09 17-Dec-08 17-Sep-08 17-Dec-07 17-Nov-09 17-Nov-08 17-Nov-07 17-May-10 17-Aug-09 17-May-09 17-Aug-08 17-May-08 Inlet to Game Reserve Weekly Oct 2007-May 2010 Conductivity mS/m

600

500

400

300

Conductivity mS/m@ 25ºC 200

Directive

100

0 17-Jul-09 17-Jul-08 17-Oct-09 17-Oct-08 17-Oct-07 17-Apr-10 17-Apr-09 17-Apr-08 17-Jan-10 17-Jan-09 17-Jan-08 17-Mar-10 17-Jun-09 17-Mar-09 17-Jun-08 17-Mar-08 17-Feb-10 17-Feb-09 17-Feb-08 17-Dec-09 17-Sep-09 17-Dec-08 17-Sep-08 17-Dec-07 17-Nov-09 17-Nov-08 17-Nov-07 17-May-10 17-Aug-09 17-May-09 17-Aug-08 17-May-08 Aviary Dam Game Reserve Outlet Weekly Oct 2007-May 2010 Conductivity mS/m 450

400

350

300

250

200 Conductivity mS/m@ 25ºC 150 Directive

100

50

0 17-Jul-09 17-Jul-08 17-Oct-09 17-Oct-08 17-Oct-07 17-Jan-10 17-Apr-10 17-Jan-09 17-Apr-09 17-Jan-08 17-Apr-08 17-Mar-10 17-Jun-09 17-Mar-09 17-Jun-08 17-Mar-08 17-Feb-10 17-Feb-09 17-Feb-08 17-Dec-09 17-Sep-09 17-Dec-08 17-Sep-08 17-Dec-07 17-Nov-09 17-Nov-08 17-Nov-07 17-Aug-09 17-Aug-08 17-May-10 17-May-09 17-May-08 Inlet to Game Reserve Weekly Oct 2007-May 2010 Sulphate mg/l

4500

4000

3500

3000

2500

2000 Sulphate mg/l

1500

1000

500

0 17-Jul-09 17-Jul-08 17-Oct-09 17-Oct-08 17-Oct-07 17-Apr-10 17-Apr-09 17-Apr-08 17-Jan-10 17-Jan-09 17-Jan-08 17-Jun-09 17-Jun-08 17-Mar-10 17-Mar-09 17-Mar-08 17-Feb-10 17-Feb-09 17-Feb-08 17-Dec-09 17-Sep-09 17-Dec-08 17-Sep-08 17-Dec-07 17-Nov-09 17-Nov-08 17-Nov-07 17-May-10 17-Aug-09 17-May-09 17-Aug-08 17-May-08 Aviary Dam Game Reserve Outlet Weekly Oct 2007-May 2010 Sulphate mg/ l

3000

2500

2000

1500

Sulphate mg/l

1000

500

0 17-Jul-09 17-Jul-08 17-Oct-09 17-Oct-08 17-Oct-07 17-Apr-10 17-Apr-09 17-Apr-08 17-Jan-10 17-Jan-09 17-Jan-08 17-Jun-09 17-Jun-08 17-Mar-10 17-Mar-09 17-Mar-08 17-Feb-10 17-Feb-09 17-Feb-08 17-Dec-09 17-Sep-09 17-Dec-08 17-Sep-08 17-Dec-07 17-Nov-09 17-Nov-08 17-Nov-07 17-May-10 17-Aug-09 17-May-09 17-Aug-08 17-May-08 Inlet to Game Reserve Uranium ppb Weekly Oct 2007 – Apr 2010

100

90

80

70

60

50 Uranium ppb 40

30 Domestic Guideline 70 ppb 20

10 Directive

0 8-Jul-09 8-Jul-08 8-Oct-09 8-Oct-08 8-Oct-07 8-Jan-10 8-Apr-10 8-Jan-09 8-Apr-09 8-Jan-08 8-Apr-08 8-Mar-10 8-Jun-09 8-Mar-09 8-Jun-08 8-Mar-08 8-Feb-10 8-Feb-09 8-Feb-08 8-Dec-09 8-Sep-09 8-Dec-08 8-Sep-08 8-Dec-07 8-Nov-09 8-Nov-08 8-Nov-07 8-Aug-09 8-Aug-08 8-May-10 8-May-09 8-May-08 Aviary Dam Weekly Oct 2007 – Apr 2010 Uranium ppb

160

140

120

100

80 Uranium ppb

60 Domestic Guideline 70 40 ppb

Directive 20

0 8-Jul-09 8-Jul-08 8-Oct-09 8-Oct-08 8-Oct-07 8-Apr-10 8-Apr-09 8-Apr-08 8-Jan-10 8-Jan-09 8-Jan-08 8-Mar-10 8-Jun-09 8-Mar-09 8-Jun-08 8-Mar-08 8-Feb-10 8-Feb-09 8-Feb-08 8-Sep-09 8-Sep-08 8-Dec-09 8-Dec-08 8-Dec-07 8-Nov-09 8-Nov-08 8-Nov-07 8-Aug-09 8-Aug-08 8-May-10 8-May-09 8-May-08 Mine Water Dissolved Iron Concentrations vs. pH into Tweelopies Weekly mg/L Feb 09 – May 10 400 14

350 12

300 10

250 8

200 Fe pH 6 150

4 100

Fe 2 50 pH

0 0 Fe Directive -09 y 20-Jul-09 12-Oct-09 19-Apr-10 04-Jan-10 25-Jan-10 06-Apr-09 27-Apr-09 08-Mar-10 29-Mar-10 08-Jun-09 29-Jun-09 16-Mar-09 15-Feb-10 02-Feb-09 23-Feb-09 14-Dec-09 21-Sep-09 02-Nov-09 23-Nov-09 10-May-10 10-Aug-09 31-Aug-09 18-Ma V 1 Entry into Game Reserve-Manganese Monthly Oct 2007- Apr 2010 140

120

100

80 Mn (Dissolved) mg/l 60 Directive

40

20

0 2007/11/17 2008/11/17 2009/11/17 2007/10/17 2007/12/17 2008/01/17 2008/02/17 2008/03/17 2008/04/17 2008/05/17 2008/06/17 2008/07/17 2008/08/17 2008/09/17 2008/10/17 2008/12/17 2009/01/17 2009/02/17 2009/03/17 2009/04/17 2009/05/17 2009/06/17 2009/07/17 2009/08/17 2009/09/17 2009/10/17 2009/12/17 2010/01/17 2010/02/17 2010/03/17 2010/04/17 Directive – May 2010

Suitable for: Conductivity - Unacceptable Domestic Sulphate (SO42~) (mg/L) - Nothing Manganese (Mn) (mg/L) - Nothing Iron (Fe) (mg/L) - Unacceptable Domestic + Livestock watering CLOSURE RISKS AND LIABILITIES • Latent impacts may take decades, or even centuries, to manifest themselves. • Inherent water quality risks • Gold mine ore bodies – associated with radionuclides • Hydrological interconnections between mines – cannot be considered in isolation • Tailings dams and waste rock dumps can never be maintained in completely reducing environment - water risk ad infinitum • Long term risk re formation of sinkholes “It is as unacceptable for companies, when they move on, to leave great holes in the earth and polluted rivers as it is to leave disrupted or unenriched communities….” (quoted in Anglo America 2002b:3)